The Dolla Be Dead

Los Angeles, CA—The Chicago born rapper known as Dolla was shot in the head in broad daylight at the entrance of the Upscale Beverly Center today. He was all of 21 years-old.

Rappin’ is hazardous to the health as The Notorious BIG, and Tupac also learned the hard way in recent times.

No, I won’t be sending flowers or attending the funeral. I’m just wondering which one of these dopes will be next.

Ya know, I'm begining to enjoy rappers after all!

More Good News! The genius believed responsible for this killing is in custody.

23-year-old Aubrey Louis Berry of Georgia was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday night. His bail is set at $1 million.

Barry was arrested with a loaded 9MM handgun at Terminal1. We can only guess if he intended to board the plane with the weapon or not.

Berry was found at the ticket counter at Terminal 1. The silver Mercedes believed to be the getaway car was found in an airport parking facility. The great news is now there are two less jerks to worry about.

Drew Peterson Has A New Lawyer

Joliet, IL—Retired Bolingbrook police sergeant Drew Peterson is due in court this morning for his Arraignment. A motion for a bail reduction will be presented by the defense as a first order of business once a formal plea of Not Guilty is entered on the record.

The charges came as a result of a reinvestigation into the death of Peterson's third wife who was found dead in her bathtub.

The defense will also make a routine motion for production and discovery asking for all documents generated by police during the entire investigation.

The judge will begin a schedule for the disclosure of documents.

Should the judge not reduce the bail to something similar to other local cases Peterson’s Defense team will run straight to the Court of Appeals to have the lower court’s bail reviewed further.

In addition to Peterson’s lawyers Joel Brodsky, Reem Odeh and Andrew Abood a new heavy hitter has climbed aboard. That’s a former Chicago police homicide detective turned lawyer, turned prosecutor and now major crime defense attorney, John Paul Carroll. In addition to being a lawyer, Carroll is also a licensed private investigator.

Brodsky will be heading up this venerable team that has the difficult challenge of getting Peterson a fair trial.

Note: In response to some unpublished comments, John Carroll has been previously consulted for Drew Peterson’s various legal issues. There has not been an official defense team for the instant case because it had not yet been filed. Now as of the Arraignment the defense team is in place.

Helping Your Gun Hating Next Door Neighbor!

For those who have outspoken neighbors who don’t like self-defense, guns or gun rights here’s a sign for your own front yard!

Sharing Artistic Video!

A very dear friend sent me a video this morning from Berlin, Germany. I thought I’d share it with my readers! Thank you Andrea!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

One More Blast From The Past

Jim Croce was only 30 years-old when he died in a place crash on June 30, 1973. He was another singer-song writer that made this e world a better place to live. Of course he had a whole catalog of great material out but never lived long enough to spend any of the money. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite but this one was so mellow.

A Blast from the Past

Harry Chapin was quite a musician and singer. His life was ended at 38 years of age when he had a heart attack and accident while driving in 1981.

Of all his works he’s known best for this masterpiece:

Drew Peterson, Innocence or Arrogance?

Joliet, IL—As retired Bolingbrook polce sergeant and now murder suspect Drew Peterson sits in a jail cell waiting for his day in court the court of public opinion has already weighed in and found him guilty.

No special damning evidence has surfaced. The state has a paper thin case that more about third party hearsay and letters than evidence. This is more about trial by police and prosecution press release.

Forget the dispute over the cause of death associated with Peterson’s third wife for a moment and let’s concentrate on her alleged letters to police and prosecutors claiming she was predicting her own murder. I’ve seen those letters so many times before and always under the same circumstances of a crumbling marriage where considerable assets and children are involved.

In the old days before no fault divorces were the American norm every wife had to accuse every husband of beatings and death threats or they could not get a divorce. Go to any courthouse in the country and look at those divorce papers from the 1940’s 50’s and 60’s they all list those allegations, every one. It became a game that everyone including the attorneys and judges simply had to play.

In recent times the allegations or beatings, threats and drug use are in every divorce complaint where child custody is an issue. Is it about child custody or money? Child custody seems to take a back seat to cool hard cash. The spouse married to the significant wage earner of the house can’t get that ten grand a month child support without gaining full custody of the children.

Allegations become extortion levers as some women put pictures of themselves in safety deposit boxes and make a record for later use in court. It’s an ugly business, but as a private investigator it’s played out in case after case that I've seen with my own eyes.

The sad part is when the allegations are actually true. That’s the realty in less than five percent of custody battles.

As to the original question I posed is Drew Peterson, innocent, arrogant or perhaps both? I’ve been around thousands of people accused of crimes and found that there is no standard conduct of the actually innocent suspect. Some become withdrawn and depressed, some scream bloody murder and many are just like Drew Peterson.

The Drew Peterson types are outraged that they’re even a suspect at all. As their neighbors and former friends begin attacking them, the reaction is to come out swinging. They begin to ridicule their detractors like that fat, and obnoxious woman next door with the dyed blond hair or Peterson’s wive's relatives with the tattoos and piercings.

Peterson fell into an ugly fight with some repulsive people and is going to need an image makeover in order to get a fair trial. Peterson will have to be in the capable hands of a great defense time. I predict Peterson will post a lower more reasonable bail and put up a fierce fight for his life now.

I’d like to think most Americans don’t want Peterson convicted unless he’s guilty.

As for the family members of wives, number three and four they know a Guilty Verdict will get them free money that belongs to Peterson’s children. Under those circumstances we’d all be arrogant.

Visit Eagle Grips At The NRA Convention

Phoenix, AZ—Should you make it here to voice your concerns about gun rights and the Obama Factor, stop by exhibit booth number 2406 where Eagle Grips will be selling products at the show.

The finest grips from all materials are here that will fit your fine handguns. From the concealable, Secret Service model grips I designed, to the most elegant Gunfighter grips for those cowboy revolvers will be there just for you. .

Sooner or later you may even see me stop by that booth!

The Eagle Grips Website is right here!

TV Icon, Actress Farrah Fawcett Near Death

Los Angeles, CA—Time is quickly running out for this once glamorous TV star and pin up model. She’s unable to keep food down, lost most of her once fabulous hair and is about 85 pounds all the result of anal cancer.

Her long time partner, actor Ryan O’Neal and their son Redmond O'Neal are both facing felony drug charges. Redmond is in the L.A. County jail as his mother faces death without him on Mother’s day.

I’d hope there is a judge somewhere with a heart to let him out at least until his mother passes. What a price to pay for being accused of committing a victimless crime. The Drug War just keeps on giving.

Farrah Fawcett is too young to die at age 62. I can only wish her a peaceful journey to where ever we go after life.

The Supremes and Diana Ross-What Might Have Been

In the 1960s The Supremes were hot. Soon egos ruled and it became, Diana Ross and the Supremes. Then there were no more Supremes.

The Supremes were always better than what we wound up with. Then there was that embarrassing tour of Diana Ross and the “new” Supremes.

Just in case you forgot about former Supreme,Mary Wilson, you can see here that she was anything but chopped liver. I always ask, “What might have been?”

Packing Loaded Guns, Arizona and the NRA Convention

Phoenix, AZ—Accepting the conventional wisdom of our nation’s gun control zealots Phoenix, Arizona is about to have the grandest bloodbath ever.

You see this state that allows open personal carrying and transporting in unlocked car glove compartments, loaded guns without any special permits is about to be invaded. Let me not forget to mention if you bother to obtain a “shall issue”, concealed weapons permit from this your own state you can conceal all of the unregistered guns in Arizona you want.

Who is invading this gun happy city you ask? At least 60,000 members of the National Rifle Association will be there all week. The convention will bring these gun-packin’ folks, like minded in their efforts to protect gun rights in America.

Now if the conventional gun-grabbing wisdom and logic is even remotely correct these gun nuts will be involved in numerous mass shootings. The hospitals and undertakers will be doing a land office business as mothers all over the city will be crying over the loss of their children.

That war-zone scenario is pure hogwash. Criminals that engage in mugging, rape and car-jacking during this convention may well find they have chosen the wrong line of work.

Please feel free compare the crime statistics for all cities with what happens in Phoenix this week.

If you were wondering, that's me holding a real Chicago Typewriter.

Drew Peterson’s Gettin’ The Treatment

Joliet, IL—For the past 18 months Illinois State Police have been investigating retired Bolingbrook police sergeant Drew Peterson.

One of Peterson’s four wives died in a bathtub and yet another is missing. I have no problem with cops and prosecutors doing their sworn duty by vigorously investigating these two matters.

Drew Peterson was called a murder suspect by officials long before they had minimal probable cause to suggest that. Peterson had had numerous search warrants served on his home and vehicles. He’s had property seized and kept by police. Peterson has cooperated with and not obstructed this investigation.

Prosecutors took special steps to influence the Illinois legislature to make a special law that would allow them to arrest and charge Peterson with murder by allowing third-party hearsay evidence at trial. Of course this untested law will get full scrutiny now. Making special laws for specific defendants is also unconstitutional.

Drew Peterson has not been charged with capital murder that would negate bail being set. Instead of a standard bond, an unheard of $20 million dollar bail has been ordered. That outrageous bail can’t possibly stand appellate review should that be sought.

Generally the law allows for those higher bail amounts in cases where the proof is evident or the presumption is great or the defendant has somehow demonstrated that he is a flight risk. Those factors are not present so a reasonable bail is called for here. My thoughts are the very highest bail should not exceed $250,000.00 allowing him to be released for %10 percent or $25,000.00 in cash or property.

There can be no question Peterson knew they were looking to jail him. He had more than ample opportunity to flee the jurisdiction and chose not to do so. Earlier police and prosecutors charged Peterson with a bogus gun law violation and Peterson never missed the chance to appear in court and seek clearing his name. The case was properly tossed out. Peterson stayed put.

Peterson has children, a pension and strong ties to the community. Peterson has never been convicted of any crime at all.

The Illinois State police were told by Peterson’s lawyer, Joel Brodsky he’d surrender Peterson any time they want him. Not only did they take Peterson down like a fugitive, they invited TV news crews to film the grand event.

The Will County Sheriff’s department knew Drew Peterson’s lawyer had arranged a continuance on the arraignment. The Sheriff ‘s department chose to hold a media driven Red Carpet Perp Walk for Peterson anyway. They paraded him before TV cameras with unusually high security. Handcuffs, belly chains, leg irons and a special chaining connecting them all were applied to Peterson along with a bright red jumpsuit.

Two very portly county jail guards took the very unusual step of parking an unnecessary distance from the courthouse prisoner receiving door then held both of his arms so they could display Peterson rather than simply bring him to court. It was a silly exercise to say the least.

Why all the special treatment you ask? Peterson unlike the vast majority of defendants has steadfastly spoken up for himself, and proclaimed his innocence to the point of hiring a publicist. TV appearances and his highly visible effort to move on with his life have obviously angered officials, family members of wives number three and four and many members of the public that can’t consume enough of this news story.

Peterson’s efforts proclaim his innocence and move forward with his life has been branded as arrogance. That happens a lot with accused suspects that are later exonerated. What’s the big deal here? Peterson has an serious obligation to his children to make all the money he can so seeking work doing TV shows and such is very reasonable.

The Peterson case is a full blown circus now and the question is, with all the special treatment can he get a fair trial? Stay tuned.

There is one additional issue here, Peterson is now incredibly famous. The cops and prosecutors working this case know they too will win fame now too. This always affects the outcome of high profile cases in a negative way.